Stacey Plant of the Tap Room with Marie Taylor and Kate Harper

Tap Room Manager Jamie Traynor

no caption required

The Tap Room

Duffield’s first micropub The Town Street Tap, which was officially opened recently by former Derbyshire county cricketer Chesney Hughes, is proving to be a hugely popular draw. It’s the second pub to be opened by Tollgate Brewery, based on the Calke Abbey Estate.

The tap room’s manager Jamie Traynor, who designed the pub, says that customers love the place for its simplicity: ‘We didn’t just want to create another “spit and sawdust” micropub where you just plonk down a few tables and chairs, put up a new sign and give it all a lick of paint. For 12 years I’ve been a graphic designer so it’s in my nature to pay meticulous attention to detail and I feel we’ve come up with something of unique appeal.

‘Our customers love the fact that we have kept things simple. We have no bar – our staff take orders and the beer comes straight out of the barrel – no music, no forced entertainment and no television; just great ales, wine, local snacks and good old conversation in an environment that’s open, warm and welcoming.’

Jamie says the locals have made him and his staff very welcome – ‘it feels as if we’re part of the community already’ – though customers are coming from far and wide, and it’s also drawn the attention of serious beer drinkers with the tap room becoming one of three finalists in the CAMRA Derbyshire Country Pub of the Year. A second micropub has just been opened by Tollgate: The Tap at No 76, in Ashby-de-la-Zouch.